Spotlight On Supplies

An Interview with... ThreadThisFabric!

2011-04-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

When did you start selling?

Thread This Fabric launched in September 2010. It started out as a dream between two friends. Brittany has an Etsy shop and we would drool over all the pretty fabrics she used. As a joke we said, “Oh, we should open our own fabric shop and stop giving all our money to Joann's!” Then, when we actually started thinking about it we decided, "Why not?" We researched how to become a fabric retailer then opened our first account with Riley Blake and started listing! The rest is history!

What's your life outside of Etsy like?

We are two stay-at-home moms. I, Amanda, have 2 kids, Fallon(2) and Ethan(1 mo). I used to be a pharmacy technician but decided to stay home when I got pregnant with my son. Brittany has 2 kids also, Kendra(4) and Lucas(2). Brittany is a seamstress and runs another Etsy shop, HandmadeByBritt, which sells crayon rolls, aprons, backpacks, lunch bags, and purses. She sews beautiful things for both of our children and ALL of our friends!

What are your plans for your shop for 2011?

We are planning to add some new accounts. We are currently working towards Michael Miller. We also want to expand our appliqué section and add new designs and fabric choices. Also, Brittany is working on some PDF patterns for us to sell. We are excited about the new products we will soon have to offer our customers!

Do you sell in other venues outside of Etsy?

No, not at this time. Our big dream is to one day open a store in an actual building!

Favorite season? Favorite beverage? Favorite dessert?

Brittany: Fall, Coke, Cheesecake
Amanda: Winter, Dr. Pepper, Brownies

What’s your superhero power?

　We like to think that our superhero power is the ability to zap color and design into everyday living with our beautiful fabrics that can bring life into clothes, throw pillows, curtains, and whatever else our customers can dream up!

What's your top suggestion to new Etsy shops starting out?

The number one thing that has helped us is advertising. We advertise on craft/sewing blogs. You should match the content of the blog so that you are sure to target your customers.

Check out ThreadThisFabric here!

Tips and Tricks: Leather supplies

2011-04-15T16:29:00.000-07:00

Words of wisdom from EarthlyLeatherDesign

I would never sell someone something I wouldn’t buy myself. I find that honesty builds the best customer relationship. But unfortunately, if you don’t know what you are looking for you may get a hold of a lot of crap (to be honest) It’s happened to me.

Leather is generally measured in ounces or millimeters, I use mostly 3 to 4 ounce suede which is about 1-2 millimeters thick. Pig Skin and Lamb Skin are generally very thin garment leather. If I use it for making bags I will generally double it up with some other type of leather to make it sturdier.

Cow which is suede or garment leather I use most often, suede is generally very reasonable to buy if you are starting out and the hides are on the smaller side. Usually cow garment leather hides are very large and pricey.

Buffalo leather is also very pricey but it is also heavy it usually is around 5-8 ounces but it is sturdy but soft. Heavy like belt leather but soft like garment leather. I think that is the best way to discribe it.

There are also heavier types of cow leathers used for bag making and belt making. Out of a whole hide you are lucky to get a dozen useable belts. It is cheaper to go this way, but if you are just starting out. I would suggest buying belt blanks from a supplier to get started.

EarthlyLeatherDesign is available to awnser your leather questions! Message her here.

An Interview with... EarthlyLeatherDesign

2011-04-11T13:00:00.000-07:00

When did you start selling?

I decided to start selling towards the end of last year. I had so many friends requesting items from me; that I thought why not see if anyone else would be interested in what I am doing.
Since I am doing so well now, I thought selling supplies would be the next great step in my business. When I began I was looking around for supplies, but most places want you to buy in bulk. So now I buy in bulk and offer people what I couldn’t find before, a reasonably amount of goods at a reasonable price. I hope that it takes off, so I may eventually have to open a second store just for supplies.

Any new product lines coming out?

I really plan on working on my supply line this summer. I always have extra leather lying around; if I am not using it then I would like to see someone else give it a go at making something out of it.
I plan on offering a larger variety of leather, buttons, and hopefully even some tools. I want to offer leather lace, closures, and rivets. It’s a work in progress and I will get there and hopefully beyond.
What is great is anyone can use leather scraps for just about anything. I have a couple customers buying scraps for accents on there bags or to make strap closures for purses.
Leather has endless possibilites.

What are your plans for (your shop) for 2011?

I plan on to just keep on working at it. The shop is really starting to take off, and it’s great to see all of my hard work and hard earned money well spent. My life is always an adventure I can’t wait to see what is around the next turn.

Were you creative growing up?

I’ve always been creative, whether I have been crafting with leather or making my own reenactment clothing. I have always had some sort of crafting project in my life. I’ve tried painting/drawing, knitting, quilting (thought I didn’t get very far with that project), wood burning, let’s just say if it’s a craft I have probably tried it.
But I love leather the most. It comes so natural to me, like second nature.

Favorite season? Favorite beverage? Favorite dessert?

I love Spring! Different kinds of Juices. I would kill someone for a Hot Fudge Spilt with Banana Ice Cream.

What's your superhero power?

I can see the future. It’s nice to know what your customers are going to buy so you can make it for them.

Any type of craft you would love to try?

I have always wanted to try pottery. It fascinates me; I really envy people that have that kind of talent.

What's your top suggestion to new Etsy shops starting out?

If your not doing something original at least try to make it your own. I’ve looked around and there are a lot of leather crafters out there. I have yet to find someone that does work similar to mine.
Don’t give up; you have to do the work to see the results. If you’re not out there promoting yourself people won’t find you. I probably spend just as much time promoting myself as I do working on items. It’s all about balance and finding what works for you. Most people like to be organized, but I find a nice dose of Chaos makes my world go round much easier. I always try to do things outside the box.

Check out EarthlyLeatherDesign here

Tips & Tricks

2011-03-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

Tips for using vintage sewing supplies

from www.allthepreciousthings.etsy.com

Vintage sewing patterns are great value! The garments made from them often have a different (some would say better) construction than modern patterns - the long French darts on many ‘60s dresses, the shaping on sleeves and shoulders, fancy bodice panelling – the list goes on. If you don’t want to dive in, boots and all, with a total vintage look, try using a vintage pattern with a modern fabric, or vice-versa. You’ll get a really individual look to your wardrobe. If you don’t feel confident wearing vintage-inspired clothes yourself, try vintage kids’ clothes (great handmade gifts), vintage dolls clothes, or vintage inspired accessories like curtains, cushions or aprons.

Vintage sewing patterns are sized differently to modern patterns, so choose your size by bust measurement for most patterns like dresses and jackets, and waist/hip measurements for pants and skirts.

Vintage buttons are often little works of art in themselves. I keep my collection of buttons, colour-sorted in old gumball jars. A modern blouse or dress can be given a whole new lease on life by substituting dull, stock-standard buttons for vintage ones. Threaded onto elastic, they make cute bracelets, or you can make a rotating display by pinning them to a corkboard or a framed, fabric-covered piece of thick cardboard.

Vintage fabrics, handkerchiefs and linen can be combined with a selection of modern or reproduction fabrics, to make a gorgeous, one-of a kind patchwork quilt. (Helpful when you can only obtain a tiny piece!)

How people find Etsy listings - Rokali post

2011-03-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Rokali posted on the Etsy forums with this information on how users find individual Etsy listings. The information was given as an introduction to changes that will be incorporated into the listing process (and as a consequence, the search and category structure). For now, it's interesting stuff to know:

- Only 22% of people arrive on a listing page through the search feature
- And 4% from a category page
- 60% of people get to a listing from a shop homepage or another listing (it's a 30%-30% split)
- External referrals are 9% (stuff like advertisements, blogs, etc)
- Internal referrals are 5% (other etsy pages... forums, treasury, activity feed, Storque)

What does all of this mean?!

The numbers indicate that browsing categories is not popular... I think we've all seen this. With the amount of items on Etsy, categories are just not an efficient way to find what you're looking for.

The search feature seems to yield a low percentage of visits, but it's actually the most effective way to get people into your shop (compared to external and internal referrals). The trick is recognizing that the listing that brings people into your store is only a 'gateway'. From there they are very likely to view other listings in your store.

How can I use this to my advantage?

These are all things we've heard before, but now we have the numbers to prove they work! Below is a list of suggestions to maximize traffic into and within your shop:

-Bring them in: Make use of all of your tags, and use them wisely. Research how similar items are tagged. Use your Google Analytics to see which tags are actually working. Swap out the ones that aren't. If you're uncomfortable with GA, you can use Craftopoli's Tag Report, which breaks it down into an easy-to-understand report, sorted by item.

-Keep them there: Use your item description strategically. Provide basic information about your shop and the item, as well as other relevant links within your shop: sections with similar items, specific complementing items, etc.

-Keep them interested: Having a buyer browse from item to item will depend on their confidence in finding something they like in your shop. A cohesive shop feel and style is a big part of that.

Use the comments to submit your own suggestions on how to take advantage of this information!

Interview with... allthepreciousthings

2011-03-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

How did allthepreciousthings come to be?

A few years ago I discovered the addictive pursuit of “Op Shopping”. Cruising Sydney’s Op Shops (“charity stores”, as they’re known overseas?) became my favourite way to spend time – sorting through them to find beautiful and quirky vintage gems. I hoarded a whole lot of depression glassware, buttons, linens, patterns, aprons and books, and eventually had to start buying glass display cabinets to house them all. My husband coined the phrase “all the precious things” when referring to my ever growing collections.

I realised that I had far more than I could ever use, at about the same time that I discovered Etsy (as a buyer) – so I decided to open a shop.

What do you do when you aren't selling supplies?

My part-time (paid) career is as a sonographer in a large diagnostic Breast Clinic – this means I do Ultrasound (sonograms), generally looking for breast cancer.

My full-time (unpaid) career is as a wife and Mum, to my 18 year old son, Mitchell, and my 16 year old daughter, Courtney, who has severe Autism and Epilepsy. When Courtney finishes school at the end of next year, it’s going to be harder for me to go out to work in the city, so my online work will probably have to take over as my main source of income.

What do you like most about selling supplies?

I love having the patterns, buttons and fabrics in my care for a while, so I can admire and enjoy them before passing them on. The graphics on the old sewing patterns are so beautiful – usually hand-drawn and coloured.

Selling vintage means I never know what I’ll discover next.

What are your goals for your Supply Business for 2011?

I have a pile of really old (1930s and 40s) knitting, sewing and crochet patterns that I want to restore and digitalise. When I have them organised, I’ll be opening my third Etsy store, www.PDFpreciousthings.etsy.com

And I’d like to start my own website and blog!

Are you an artist and do you work with the supplies that you sell? What is it that you make with them and do you have any tips for using your supplies?

I’m a lifelong artist. It’s just that the medium I work with keeps changing! I went to Art college for 2 years, and learned everything from drawing, to painting and printmaking. At other times I’ve dabbled in lead-lighting, quilting, photography and ceramics. Mum taught me to sew as a young girl, and that’s been an ongoing, evolving pursuit. I’ve only recently discovered vintage patterns, buttons, fabrics and trim; and it’s changed everything about the way I sew. Rather than buying modern patterns, I prefer vintage styles and always have an eye out for patterns to add to my own collection.

I love vintage fabrics, and have an enormous stash which threatens to take over the house!

My collection of vintage knitting needles, buttons and fabrics is my supply stash for my second Etsy shop, www.sewnewthings.etsy.com ,where I sell my upcycled knitting needle bracelets and handmade bags and accessories.

Visit allthepreciousthing's main store here: www.allthepreciousthings.etsy.com

Treasury!

2011-03-11T16:24:00.000-08:00

New treasury by Fabric Place! Check it out, leave a comment, find the supplies you needed!

Tutorial: Bead-embellished fans

2011-03-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

For a tropical spring wedding, we added sea-inspired beads to these wholesale bought sandalwood fans to create a memorable, useful and inexpensive wedding favor.

The first step is to decide on a length for your bead attachments, and lay out the beads you will use. We were making more than 50 and wanted to use up leftover beads from old projects, so we went with a sea-inspired palette and mixed up the bead order. Together, they looked coordinated but not matchy-matchy.

Our sandalwood fans came packaged in individual boxes, but these were for a wedding ceremony and were going to be displayed in a vase. We took the fans out of the boxes and took them to the recycling bin.

To facilitate an assembly-line, we cut all the pieces of beading wire first. Your wires will measure double what you want your final length to be, and then a little extra (I like an inch extra on both sides).

The fans have a metal loop through which we'll thread the beading wire.

Thread the beading wire.

Pull together both ends of the wire and thread the beads. We assembled first, crimped later. Make sure not to knock over the table and send all your work onto the floor...

Once the wire is threaded through the fan's metal link and the beads are on the wire, place a crimp bead onto both wires. Notice the seed bead finishing the assembly (before the crimp). Some beads, like that big green one have holes large enough for a crimp bead to slide through. Use a smaller bead between one with a large hole and the crimp, so you don't lose the crimp inside a bead.

Crimp the crimp. These I just flattened (instead of folded), because I was going to cut off the extra wire and didn't mind the 'rectangular' crimp. Trim the excess wire.

Congratulate the bride and groom!

Paper Supplies ..... What Would You Do with these? Wednesday!

2011-02-23T05:31:00.000-08:00

Paper Supplies are so much fun-these finds go together and can be made into something special!

What can you do with these?

Envelope Seal Stickers Pink LITTLE BIRD SNITCHED Set of 32 from LillysPaper

Handpainted Artsy Borders - Pack of 6 from bonnierose

50 SETS authentic library cards and pockets / large set from schOOLLOcker

Shades of Copper from azbluerockers!

2011-02-22T08:56:00.000-08:00

Tutorial Thursday!

2011-02-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

I found a tutorial on YouTube that is a video for a Peyote Stitch Beaded Bead.

Thought it was interesting and thought I would share.

If you have a tutorial that you would like to write up and share with us-please let us know!

T Tuesday ... Supplies that begin with the letter T

2011-02-15T01:00:00.000-08:00

You will have to click on the pictures to see what TERRIFIC "T" Listings these Supplies are!

And here is a list of T Adjectives for when you are listing(or in general really)-can you use any of them?

taboo
tacit
tacky
talented
tall
tame
tan
tangible
tangy
tart
tasteful
tasteless
tasty
tawdry
tearful
tedious
teeny
teeny-tiny
telling
temporary
ten
tender
tense
tense
tenuous
terrible
terrific
tested
testy
thankful
therapeutic
thick
thin
thinkable
third
thirsty
thirsty
thoughtful
thoughtless
threatening
three
thundering
tidy
tight
tightfisted
tiny
tired
tiresome
toothsome
torpid
tough
towering
tranquil
trashy
tremendous
tricky
trite
troubled
truculent
true
truthful
two
typical

An interview with appliqueheaven...

2011-02-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

1) How did appliqueheaven come to be?
" appliqueheaven is supposed to be all appliques and my other shop northernwarmthings is supposed to be things I make...however people keep buying appliques from both shops and i don't get much else done...that's ok...I love just doing...make and do...my first shop on etsy was selling mitt and moccasin patterns and what I had made but thhe price of shipping is so high it made me feel bad....so appliques for now."

2) What do you like Most about selling Supplies?
"What I like the most is the people I meet and what they do with what they buy from me...interesting and creative. "

3) What are your Goals for your Supply Business for 2011?
"My goal is always to do a good job and see what happens. I love having shops on etsy and meeting people all over the world. Once a buyer in Latvia told me her sewing machine didn't work and by email we fixed it...that was memorable.!! "

4) Are you an artist and do you work with the supplies that you sell?
What is it that you make with them and do you have any tips for using your supplies?
"I use the appliques I make...mostly on grandkids clothes and have made plain iron ons to patch my husband's clothes. I also use them in baby quilts that I make for gifts....and i have used them for greeting cards. I used some to decorate a hard plastic garbage can and that was fun. When our snow melts I plan to decorate some big rocks with appliques.

I love selling the appliques as supplies and see what buyers do with them...they often make kids' clothes and sell them in their own etsy shops. Some etsy shops use them to make hair clips or bibs or cards or you never know what next. I have regular buyers who use them for their own kids' clothes."

5) What do you do when you aren't selling supplies?
"I am in my 60's and have been sewing since I was a kid and started on a treadle sewing machine. I love to sew leather and it is especially fun as it does not ravel and looks so rich. When I am not making appliques you will find me making quilts and the last one was bought by our bank manager. "

Contest Time! You could win a $25.00 gift certificate!

2011-02-13T01:00:00.000-08:00

Spring is just around the corner in the

Northern Hemisphere

and we want to be ready for it!

Our First Contest will help our team with that!

Check it out and get involved!

Contest:

Can you design a SPRING themed SOS team avatar?

Create a Spring themed avatar for your chance to

win a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Nomad Crafts Etc!

Plus a Featured Etsy mini spot of your shop

on the Team's Blog at the top corner of the page for 1 week!!

This contest starts today and you will have until

February 27th to create and submit your design.

Then for 1 week we will post ALL of the entries on the blog

along with a poll where we can all vote for our favorite design.

Whoever's design is voted number

1 wins the contest and the fun prizes!

Submissions:

Send your entry as an attachment to me through Etsy Convo.

The avatars must be 170x100, jpg/png/gif.

If you are unsure how to size it-you can send

your picture to me as it is and I will do it for you.

You have from Sunday February 13th to Sunday February 27th

to submit your design-that is 2 weeks!

Rules:

1. One entry per team member.

2.Your entry must be YOUR own design

-but you can get someone to help you

format your entry if you need help.

3. You MUST be a member of the

SOS team to enter your design.

4. Your Entry MUST be Spring themed.

You can sign up to become a team member here.

(Voting rules will be posted when the voting begins)

Please remember that this is meant to be fun!

I hope you all participate and submit a design!

I know you all will come up with some great

avatars and I know I can't wait to see them!

Follow Friday

2011-02-11T05:47:00.000-08:00

This is where I will do a log of all team members links

-lets support eachother's efforts to

promote by following Facebooks, Twitters, blogs, Flickrs, websites and so much more!
_________________________________________________
Here are the New Links for Friday February 11th 2011:

Etsy shop is: http://www.soulfireartisan.etsy.com
Twitter: @soulfireartisan
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/soulfireartisan

Shops: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Feille
http://www.etsy.com/shop/embellishedlife
Twitter: http://twitter.com/embellishedlife
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/4turners/

Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/crememagnolia
Blog http://queennmyownmind.blogspot.com/

Etsy - http://curiouscleo.etsy.com
My website - http://www.curiouscleo.co.uk
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Curious-Cleo-Vintage-Clothing/140610379332640
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/ccvintage

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/matursuksema
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Matur-Suksema/92812718772

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GiftsOfIndia

Etsy Shop 1: PrairieSilverSupplys.etsy.com
Etsy Shop 2: PrairieStarJewels.etsy.com

Etsy Shop: http://bellerosedesigns.etsy.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/bellerosedesigns

Twitter: http://twitter.com/julie3birds

Blog: http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com

________________________________________________
Here are the New Links for Friday January 28th 2011:

Vintage Carolina Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageCarolina
Carolina Kudzu Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarolinaKudzu
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sfrm=1#!/CarolinaKudzu
http://www.facebook.com/vintagecarolina
Blog: http://carolinakudzu.blogspot.com/

Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoldMuse

Etsy shop : http://crochetgal.etsy.com
Twitter: htttp://twitter.com/crochetgal

website: www.qualitycords.com
Etsy shops:www.qualitycords.etsy.com
www.assortedgoodies.etsy.com
Blogs: www.qualitycords.blogspot.com
www.spotlightonpendants.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lather-and-Lotions/312229646840
Blog: www.latherandlotions.blogspot.com
________________________________________________
Here are the New Links for Friday January 21st 2011:

Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/zazuta
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/zazuta
Blog: http://www.artandzazuta.blogspot.com
Website : http://www.zazuta.com

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/docksidedesignsetc

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/DocksideDesigns

Etsy Shop: www.closeoutgirl.etsy.com

Artfire Shop: www.closeoutgirl.artfire.com

Blog: www.closeoutgirl.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Closeout-Girl/16104078057909

Shop: http://woodtone.etsy.com
FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/WoodTone/192901530725402
LiveJournal: http://woodtone.livejournal.com
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58464379@N05/
Blog: http://woodtone.blogspot.com

Etsy Shop: http://kittredgemercantile.etsy.com
Website: http://www.kittredgemercantile.com
Blog: http://kittredgemercantile.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kittredge-Mercantile/128481473855187

________________________________________________

Here are New Links for Friday January 14th 2011:

trimgoddess Links

Here is my FaceBook page http://1url.com/wh2
Etsy shop: http://www.trimgoddess.com
Web site: http://www.continentalstitcherytrims.com
Web e-commerce site: http://www.shop.continentalstitcherytrims.com
FaceBook page: http://1url.com/wh2
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RositaPisarchick

grimmlynn Links

Here is my twitter:
http://twitter.com/grimmlynnetsy

1dream Links

http:// www.1dream.etsy.com

Http:// www.meliscraft.com

My twitter: 1dreamsupplier.twitter.com

My Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/onedream/

Nomad Crafts Supplies Links

Etsy Shop 1: http://www.nomadcraftsetc.etsy.com

Etsy Shop 2: http://www.nomadcraftssupplies.etsy.com

Etsy Shop 3: http://www.nomadvintage.etsy.com

Etsy Shop 4: http://www.nomadglass.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nomad-Crafts-Etc/174099419283805

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomadcraftsetc/

Website: http://www.nomadcraftsetc.com

Tutorial Thursday - Lampwork Flower Disc bead by Nomad Crafts Etc

2011-02-10T08:11:00.001-08:00

What would you do with These? Wednesday! Heavy Metal Edition

2011-02-09T07:45:00.000-08:00

I was listening to some Metallica last night and it gave me a great idea for this weeks

What Would You Do With These! Heavy Metal Supplies!

Who doesn't like metal? What would you do with these metallic supplies?

Dapping set doming set with block, 24 punches in wood stand from StampingSupplies

Large Brass Butterfly Angel Wings Steampunk Findings Lot of 8 from TidBitz

Art Nouveau stampings from narceine

Medium Custom Jewelry Tree from RAWelding

Large Base Metal Silver Skull Bead Lot from Soulfireartisan

You can use them one at a time or all together for your
What Would You Do scenario! :)

Let's hear some ideas!

Wish You Luck by gbbox

2011-02-08T08:34:00.001-08:00

Hey all!

2011-02-07T06:59:00.001-08:00

I will start posting new posts tomorrow-just wanted to give an update. I will start posting interviews on Mondays and Saturdays-there are well over 100 members now so that would be 2 per week and give a lot of interest to this wonderful blog! :) I will also start doing a Blog giveaway that will last 1 month-starting on Sunday. I will sponser the first giveaway-if anyone else wants to volunteer for future blog giveaways that would be fabulous!

Well ta ta for now!

Tutorial Thursday - Polymer clay embellishments with MoldMuse Molds

2011-01-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

What would you do with These? Wednesday! The Bird Edition....

2011-01-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

What is more fun than supplies that fly...um I mean that have to do with birdies?

What could you do with these 5 supplies to make them soar?

Japanese Fabric - Winking Owls on Brown Half Yard from mwendas

5 TierraCast Hummingbird Beads - Antique Copper from LythaStudios

Bird shaped, koa, handmade, wood button from WoodTone

24pcs Birds in Blooms Random Flatback Buttons from canndypan

Bird on a Branch Flexible Mini Mold/Mould from MoldMuse

Treasury Tuesday Historically Speaking!

2011-01-25T05:08:00.000-08:00

By KCRlehrstudio - Great job dear! What a lovely treasury!

An Interview with swirlsofcreativity

2011-01-24T08:17:00.000-08:00

1) How did swirlsofcreativity come to be?

"I sold some leftover tulle I had from a project and found it sold well. Then I decided that I would bring awesome products made in the U.S.A., that I found hard to find, to customers. I found the quality to be superior for making my daughter tutus and it feels good to sell products that help our economy.

Also, after much stress at a job, my husband took a pay cut to be less stressed and spend more time with our children and me. And I have found selling supplies is a way that I can help contribute financially to our family’s income."

2) What do you like Most about selling Supplies?

"Giving the customers access to well-made products that aren’t always the easiest to find is always rewarding. Also, I don’t have as much time to create art to make a living, what with being busy with our children a lot of the time; supplies are easier since I’m not making them. ;)"

3) What are your Goals for your Supply Business for 2011?

"I’m always hoping to bring new supplies to my shop. Right now I have many items that are just waiting to be photographed and descriptions written in order to enter my shop. I’ve been nurturing a few ideas of new products I would like to bring to my customers as well this year."

4) Are you an artist and do you work with the supplies that you sell? What is it that you make with them and do you have any tips for using your supplies?

"I am an artist and I do enjoy making items with the supplies when I have the time. I’ve made a few tutus for my daughter and nieces. I like to use tulle on gift tags and cards that I hand stamp. It is fun to use while wrapping gifts and for decorations too. The possibilities are endless! There are so many things that I would like to try with tulle. I’m hoping to begin doing tutorials on my blog showing how to make tutus, decorations, and gifts."

5) What do you do when you aren't selling supplies?

"I enjoy spending time with my family. We have a son who is 7, a daughter who is 3, and I’m super pregnant and due any day with our 3rd child. We enjoy reading, learning, crafting, cooking/baking, photography, playing games, watching movies, traveling and exploring new places. During the warmer months (we live in Iowa) we enjoy spending more time outdoors: hiking, camping, gardening, and going to garage sales."

You can find SwirlsofCreativity at the following links as well:
twitter.com/SwirlCreativity
www.facebook.com/pages/Swirls-of-Creativity/162660381755
www.facebook.com/people/Heidi-Jo-the-Artist/100000305370962
www.myspace.com/swirlsofcreativity
swirlsofcreativity.blogspot.com

What would you do with These? Wednesday! The Blue Edition

2011-01-19T09:10:00.000-08:00

I love the color blue and I am sure many of you do too. Blue inspires!

Tell us What would you do with Each of these supplies together or separately-

What would you create with them?

ANY and ALL ideas welcome!

After what I read in last week's comments

I am sure you will come up with some neat ideas for these blue supplies!

3 different robots appliques grab bag from appliqueheaven

Vintage Retro 1970s Paisley fabric-Blue & purple yardage from allthepreciousthings

25 blue tags with string from schOOLLOcker

20 Cellphone cords - light blue and nickel tone silver 50mm from nicoledebruin

Ocean Blue worsted weight handspun merino yarn from PeaceLoveEtc

Have fun with this-and comment away!

Getting ready for Spring Treasury...

2011-01-18T04:41:00.000-08:00

An Interview with trimgoddess

2011-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

1) How did trimgoddess come to be?

"Over 12 years ago my husband and I joined the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) dedicated to recreating the middle ages. So distinctive trimmings for our costumes were a must. It all started that way, I searched for ideal Jacquard woven trimmings and found a textile mill still manufacturing traditional ribbons on antique Jacquard machines. After creating costumes for both of us, I made some for others using these trimmings. After a very short time I realized that the trimmings were in high demand by other costume makers and I started selling them from the back of my van on a card table at SCA events. In a matter of 6 months I went from selling off one card table, to 4 6ft tables under a pop up tent, then to a 20ft tent with 10 tables and shelves. As this was back-breaking work, I started to sell my trims on line through ebay. Then a little later I created my own show-case website http://www.continentalstitcherytrims.com and in 2007 I added to it a shopping cart and full e=commerce capabilities.

When ebay raised their fees and changed their outlook, it was time to move. I first sold on ebid for 3 months then I moved to etsy in mid 2008 at http://www.trimgoddess.com and the rest is history.

My business logo was a naked woman rising from the sea holding a shield with a crowned rose. And nearly everyone called her the trim goddess ! So that was the name I chose for my etsy shop."

2) What do you like Most about selling Supplies?

"I love finding the right trim for the right outfit or use. I love seeing what others do with them. I love the feel and colors of the rich textiles I specialize in. I like fashion and design and working with designers. I visit museums and exhibitions for my continuing education in my field. During the New Years break I visited the Textile Museum in Washington, DC to view the "Colors of the Oasis, Central Asian Ikats" exhibition. It was amazing and inspirational. http://www.textilemuseum.org . I love doing historical research.

Then most of all, I like commerce in general. Buying and selling is something I enjoy. It is never boring, and you get to know so many interesting people."

3) What are your Goals for your Supply Business for 2011?

"I will be adding some wonderful new trim patterns by Kaffee Fasset in the coming month. I am so looking forward to presenting these, as Kaffee Fassett is such a great contemporary textile artist.

Optimizing social networking is also one of my goals. I have a FaceBook business page at http://1url.com/wh2 that keeps me in touch with my customers and where I let them know what is going on in our little TextileTrim world. My FaceBook posts get automatically posted to my twitter account."

4) Are you an artist and do you work with the supplies that you sell? What is it that you make with them and do you have any tips for using your supplies?

"I use my Jacquard trims to adorn my medieval outfits, then I also use my bolt remnants to make a small line of bookmarks, and from time to time I create quilts and wall hangings with them."

5) What do you do when you aren't selling supplies?

"Selling my trims is a full time job, all my other activities are second to it. I create bead-woven jewelry and collaborate in my husband's lapidary business. Our etsy shop is http://www.crownrosegems.com "

Tutorial Thursdays!

2011-01-13T06:38:00.000-08:00

Each week there will be a NEW Tutorial posted on a variety of crafts and other topics-if you have a tutorial you would like posted here-Let me know! I will start posting them Next Thursday January 20th.
Thank you all on the SOS team for helping us keep this blog alive!

What would you do with These? Wednesday!

2011-01-12T07:43:00.000-08:00

Every Wednesday I will feature 5 different supplies from 5 different SOS team member's shops!

This week is a Valentine's Day Edition...

Tell us What would you do with Each of these supplies together or separately?

What would you create with them? ANY and ALL ideas welcome!

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

A Baker's Dozen of Red Heart Wooden Beads

Red - 1 New Yard of 1/8-Inch Double Faced Satin Ribbon

Valentine Tags.... hearts.... pink.... red....

Indian Green Aventurine Heart Pendant

vintage brass heart charms with white/clear crystal rhinestone, varying patinas

Click on each title to go to each seller's shop!

What wonderful finds and Oh so many creations can be made with these!

Think Smart Think Spotlight for Treasury Tuesday

2011-01-11T07:03:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous!

An interview with Overspill

2011-01-10T05:36:00.000-08:00

overspill on Etsy

1) How did Overspill come to be?

" 10 years ago I set up a small business selling hand made quilts and hand knits, which was hard work, but a lot of fun. When, 4 years ago, I found myself expecting my daughter, I realized that I was going to have to find something else to do that was closer to home and more manageable with a small one around. I gave up my studio space and started selling off my excess supplies while I thought about it. Then I discovered just how much fun supplies and haberdashery were and invested my savings from not paying studio rent into more stock. From there, things just sort of grew..."

2) What do you like Most about selling Supplies?

"All of it! Well, except for doing the books - I don't enjoy that part much. But I love haberdashery for it's usefulness and for it's beauty - rolls of ribbons draping themselves over the table, shades of binding stacked up into a rainbow and quite honestly, playing with buttons is so much
fun it shouldn't be called work! "

3) What are your Goals for your Supply Business for 2011?

"Goals? You mean I'm meant to have some sort of plan?
ok - the main goal is to start producing more handmade supplies, particularly buttons and bias binding. Certainly in the UK, the supplies market has contracted to the point where most items are coming from a handful of large companies - I want to be able to offer my customers something different, something that you won't find elsewhere and that will, hopefully, inspire them to go on to make their own unique pieces. To this end, I've also set up my website www.boutonnerie.com/ where I sell handmade buttons by other artisans."

4) Are you an artist and do you work with the supplies that you sell?

What is it that you make with them and do you have any tips for using your supplies?

"My handmades textiles are still chugging along at www.etsy.com/shop/CarolineHardy though I have to say that my focus has switched recently. A year ago I was lucky enough to buy a kiln and since then I've become gradually more and more obsessed with clay. I suspect that over the next few years, I will be working more and more with this, in both my handmades and supplies shops.

Tips? Nothing really on techniques, but I would say, whatever medium you work in - experiment! Play around, have fun, explore all the possibilities. When I was sewing full time, a lot of people informed me "You can't make quilts out of [fleece, velvet, upholstry chenille]" while I was, quite successfully doing just that very thing. Don't ever listen to the voices that say "You can't....". You can - you just have to find a way. "

5) What do you do when you aren't selling supplies?

"My partner is also self employed, so with 2 businesses, a small child and a half-acre holding on which we grow much of our food plus medicinal herbs and dyeplants, we don't have an awful lot of time for much else. If there is any spare time I can usually be found with my nose in a book or up to my elbows in clay!"

You can follow Overspill all over the web at the following links:

FabricOverspill on Etsy

CarolineHardy on Etsy

boutonnerie Her Website

On Twitter

On Her Blog:

What a Busy Busy Gal!

Tuesdays are for Treasuries!

2010-12-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

'Sew Me Love!' by treasurebooth

A collection of sewing items including members from the SOS Team! Enjoy :) Here is the SOS team link if you're interested in checking us out: http://www.etsy.com/teams/6956/spotlight-on-supplies

Vintage Petite Sewing K... SecondWindVint... $8.00	1940s Vintage sewing pa... alltheprecious... $25.00	Handmade Yellow Retro P... Overspill $15.95
Saw See Sew Wooden Need... thesmallobject $6.00	Vintage Sewing Box, Jad... RollingHillsVi... $22.50	Sew, I Love You Hand Pa... HeatherKent $32.00
Vintage 1947 Simplicity... SewMrsP $10.00	7 Yards 1 1/4 Inch Wide... debscrafts55 $3.50	Red orange and green vi... minusOne $30.00
Heart Sewing Pin Set PieceofPeace $5.00	11 small vintage red pe... trimgoddess $3.50	Elise rockabilly vintag... heartmycloset $85.00
five vintage thimbles ModishVintage $14.00	Chippy Red Handled Vint... retrovertigo $20.00	6inch - AsparagusGreen ... SilvermintSupp... $3.25

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Winter Crafting, White as Snow!!

2010-12-22T11:55:00.000-08:00

Treasure Booth

Unless you live in a warm client, when you think of winter, you think of snow. Here on the Spotlight On Supplies Team many of us who live in the northern hemisphere are getting ready to stay inside as much as we can this winter. What a great time for crafting and the Spotlight On Supplies Team has plenty to keep you occupied on those dreary winter days.

Overspill

We have white cabochons that include some great cameos. what could be better for jewelry and bead making?

Lots of white buttons! Look at that great black and white collection in the picture. Use them for sewing, collages, scrapbooking and other crafts. We also have white lace that you can use in these endeavors.

Nomad Craft Supplies

So what are you crafting this winter? Could you use some white yarn? How about some white bows?

Blue Echo

We have plenty of white beads and lots of other craft supplies with white in them.

To see our whole rainbow of craft supplies from the Spotlight on Supplies team click HERE.

Treasury Tuesday!!

2010-12-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

'Orange you glad your...ORANGE' by debscrafts55

The Spotlight on Supplies team has all the colors of the rainbow but here's just one of them!

Heart and Sole Sock yar... crochetgal $13.75	10 Orange 11mm acrylic ... nicoledebruin $1.00	Thread selection - peac... therainbowgirl $2.50
6 fabric covered handma... Feille $12.00	Tropical Fragrance Oil ... latherandlotio... $12.95	Red, Orange, Vegetarian... sassalynne $5.00
Opaque Orange Picasso F... fivesisters $1.75	2 Orange and Gold Butte... CardsAndCraft $3.25	Carrot Orange Plastic M... JustAnn $1.75
Glass Seed Bead size ... OBXJewels $6.75	12 Citrus Brads, Lemon,... drumchick99 $3.50	ON SALE Orange Picasso ... SweetTranquilJ... $6.56
FIBER BEAD Macrame We... Ebrown2503 $9.00	10pcs 3 Layers 6-Petal ... beadic $6.50	Vintage 1970s ORANGE Sh... alltheprecious... $16.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

A Little About Our Etsy Team

2010-12-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

Applique Heaven

We are a group of supply sellers on Etsy, the number one place to buy handcrafted items on the internet. What most people don't know, though, is that it's also a great place to buy supplies!

The Java Bead

Deb's Crafts

We supply sellers feel like the unsung heroes of Etsy. After all without supplies where would most of the artists and crafters on Etsy do?

Black Star Beads

So we have banded together in a team, to help each other promote supplies on Etsy! Only a very few of our sellers items are shown here. If you would like to see what we have to offer use the search term SOS Team when your on Etsy or click here.

We called our new team Spotlight On Supplies. If you are a supply seller on Etsy please join us. Thank you so much for stopping by our new blog.